Meeting in the Middle

What's between Simsbury and West Point?  Danbury!  Margaret and I met to enjoy a relaxed day at the park.  We chatted while the muchkins enjoyed themselves at the playground and splash park.  The ice cream man was there too - yum yum. 

Shane and Brigid got jipted in the ice cream department.  I don't think they know what they are missing yet.

Margaret and her ladies.  She makes 5 kids seem simple.  They are great kids, helping eachother and even Nick as times.  I loved spending the day with such a great family.  In just a few days, they are packing up for a Space A flight adventure to Germany (meaning they are hoping to catch the.  They are fortunate to have so many folks to visit out there.  We hope to catch them somewhere on the itinerary.

Cleaning out the attic - Times in Texas

You have all heard that 20% of our stuff is sweating away in the Texas attic right?  Well, this weekend I was determined to settle my mind and find (or assure myself) that I could put my hands on what was nagging away at me and lay the rest to 'rest' for the rest of our time away.

Before diving in, I made a list and Chelcy helped me stick to it - for our own safety. 

We extracted........

photo albums (on the list),

a wedding dress (on the list),

6 books of Benecom scratch paper (bonus item)

a lava lamp (bonus item), 

Nick's tunnel and tent, (on the list)

Assortment of Children's books (bonus items)

Nick's piggy bank from Goomba, (on the list)

stained glass piece (bonus item)

pillow covers and comforters (bonus items)

I'm certain Chris will be thrilled with the bonus items.  Especially when the 70 lb box of books arrives (sometime this winter with our mail luck) as well as the other boxes that were packed and shipped from Texas! 

This is also a great photo of the beauitful home that Lisa and Mike are building next to us!

After sweating it out, it was time to chill with the family.  This photo is the perfect description of the kids.  Together, they make an outfit (Chloe sporting the pants and Evan the shirt).  Chloe can accessorize with anything and at the moment, the bracelet of choice is the track to Evan's new bull dozer.  Evan is sporting his super man shirt.  As I spent time with him I realized he is full of dramatic highs and lows.  As does superman!

Are we sure I should be the one teaching golf?  Does this look right Chris?

This photo best describes our Sunday night.  Deakon consumed the beer while Chelcy and I tackled the wine.  Deakon was on his way back from his 4th potty break.  We were sitting in their kitchen playing movie and music trivia games where Deakon and I were obviously pawns in chelcy's climb to dominance.  It was one of those nights where we manage to make each other laugh over not much at all.  One of the best kind of nights!

I won't go into detail as to how sad it was to leave Texas again.  But it is wonderful to re-assure that it will always feel like home.  Thankfully we have convinced the Madray's as well as the Carson's to visit us this summer!

Evan Turns 3!!

This weekend is Evan's birthday party!  What great timing=)  Chloe was working on her chores.  The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree as mom's favorite activity is mowing as well!

Here's our birthday boy eating a yummy monkey cupcake. 

Little Brayden was chatting up his highlights.

Party central

When you have a pool and you have a slide, how long does it take to get the slide IN the pool?  About an hour.....  HUGE success!

Our muscle men

Ah, the slip and slide!  When Deakon rolled it out and placed and it he realized it was a lot longer in his memory than in reality.  I think that is the reflection of when Deakon was last on a slip and slide.

We had a wonderful afternoon with amazing families and the kids loved every second.  I loved enjoying the afternoon as if I lived there again.  Great friends!

Child care at Camp Carlson

My folks were at first apprehensive of having the boys for 5 days.  But I just spoke with them this morning and it sounds as if they are in a great 'groove'  Nick was jumping into the pool and splashing around.  Shane was snoozing away upstairs.  They are sending photos quite often so its cute to see the adventures they are having. 

Yesterday my folks took both boys to a memorial service for a neighbor of ours.  They had full military honors at the service so Nick told me about the loud guns and the bag pipes he heard.  I am truly impressed that my folks are able to grab the boys, pack the stroller and some snacks and have a great outing.  Well done guys!

Of course with babysitter comes new skills and experiences.  Nick LOVES the ball shooter.  As a parent and grandparent, its often difficult to resist shooting at each other.

Nick is LOVING the pool this year.  Mother Nature warmed it up perfectly! Goomba keeps it crystal clean

Mr. Griffin is enjoying some dude time as well.  Nick's new favorite book is actually a

book about airplanes that my father read as a boy.  The thing is, the book has TONS of words.  lots of technical description.  I get bored reading the words - but not Nick!

Chilling with Chelcy and Crew

The anticipation on the flight was amazing.  Just chatting to the man next to me about the Austin spots I was about to see was exhilarating.  I landed and walked outside in the hot sun.  In a matter of minutes a speedy white explorer rounded the corner.  Chelcy Carson!  Yeah!!  From that moment on I felt totally at home. 

We were having so much fun chatting that we totally missed the 35 exit and ended up at the Domain for a drink.  Yummy cocktails!

After cocktails we drove by our home.  I cannot describe the feeling in my stomach seeing the home Chris and I built - but now it has someone else's stuff in it.  Surely like being a stranger in your own home.  The best part was - Lisa and Mike's home is right next door and under construction.  Go neighbors!

That night we went out for some Tex Mex with the book club crew

Friday for lunch was MORE Tex Mex at Mesa Rosa with some of the most wonderful folks from David Weekley

I even got to surprise one of my most treasured homeowners.

Feels good to be loved

Than we decided to give the credit card a work out.  We hit Target, Charming Charlies and even Claires in search of a new nose ring.  Gosh, I cannot keep up with Chelcy!  I was exhausted.

Its amazing how you can leave a place for 18 months and when you come back for a visit you feel as if you fit right back in.  I went to swim practice Friday and Saturday morning.  Popped into the HEB grocery store and grabbed breakfast tacos this morning.  Just doing the simple events warms my heart and brings back the wonderful memories of what life is like here.  Of course, spending every second with Chelcy and her family is the absolute icing on the cake.  Walking into her home now feels like mine.

And now a motor cycle....

Yesterday - this rolled into the driveway.  Just the sound of the engine perked Nick's ears.  He has a LOVE for matchbox cars, and now he is requesting a matchbox motorcycle.  If you ask him, he will mimic the sound and quite well =)

At Costco EVERYTHING is bigger and better, even the shopping carts.  I have always wanted to have two munchkins sitting side by side.  Finally!! 

And, the new do - I got it today and it will surely take some getting used to (for me) I loved feeling brave as she cut off a substantial portion of my hair and proceeded to color it.  I even loved my response when asked, is this more your natural color.  Chelcy taught me to LOVE saying - I have no idea but it looks great right?!

Father's Day

On Saturday we said 'safe travels' to Dad as he started his travels back to Germany.  He had a bit of a rough trip.  He missed his connection in London due to baggage rechecking and the tickets I purchased being two separate round trips.  Needless to say, the airlines have minimal sympathy these days. Additionally, the purchase of another ticket last minute is never pretty.  So next year we vow to keep Chris grounded for BOTH his birthday and father's day!

We took Goomba out to breakfast and Simsbury Farms golf course.  If Chris was still here, they would be on the links - but with us, breakfast will have to do.

Goomba enjoyed a meal with his smiley man Shane

Nick enjoyed some chocolate chip pancakes while we had lobster and eggs.  Who wins?  Everyone!!

We loved being able to celebrate the day with our man Goomba.  We had a wonderful dinner later that day with the Griffins as well.  The night ended as Goomba mowed the yard to John Phillip Sousa!!  Nick and I tried imitating him to make him laugh, however he was immersed in his mission.  I think he was thrilled to end his day that way (or maybe wake up the next morning knowing its done).  Happy father's day Goomba

Camp Carlson

Camp Carlson is full of many things, pool, pond, running in summer feet, dinners on the deck and this year SUN!  At least so far...

However all that fun, often ends in nap time with a baseball game on =)

Carnival time

The Carnival is in town.  And so are all the workers that worked it when I went as well as the music, the rides etc.  Guess we need to pursue jobs in the rides department.

That aside - Nick is of the age where he is LOVING the BIG slide, the dragon roller coaster and spinning tea cups.  His squeals of joy make the over priced tickets worth every penny.

Some time on the big wheel - or ferris wheel as we may call it

Hamster wheel time - and check out the carny =)

Thanks Oma Sue for a great time - thanks to Goomba who stayed home with Shane (who slept 2.5 hours - tough duty!)

Our Birthday boy!

Of the 10 years I have known Chris, he has spent 4 of his birthday's in the field, 1 deployed, 1 away from family and the rest working.  This year we were thrilled to spend the entire day with the most amazing man in my life! 

 

One thing Chris enjoys is a yummy meal and we managed to stock 2 of those!! The first, Lunch -just the 2 of us at an Italian pub - a few beers later he came home in time to hit the links for 9 holes with my dad. They came home just in time to head out for dinner and a 5 star (in my opinion) restaurant in my neighborhood called Abigail's. We had escargot, mussels, scallops, and lamb! Hungry yet?

Nick bought dad a little football.  Before Chris could even unwrapped it he said - 'dad will you share your football with me?'  Now THAT is what he will remember from his birthday.

Saranac Lake with the Leadbetter and Ly family!

Our vacation surely feels 'non-stop'.  We had Sunday in CT to rest and relax. Monday morning, we packed our bags (a little lighter this time) and headed north to Lake Saranac. In 5 hours we landed at Liz & Tam's home. We were greeted by our cousins Sebastian, Wyn and Brooke. Barbara and Wyland were another special addition as they were coming down from time up at Lobster Lake.

Here is Liz's office - its the Trudeau Institute.  I am going to Wikipedia a quick blurb for you =) 

It was founded in 1876 by Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau as he arrived to treat his own tuberculosis.  In 1884 he founded his Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium,

starting with a small cottage, called "Little Red", the first "cure cottage", The Trudeau Institute, an independent medical research center, evolved from the Trudeau's work for the sanitarium. In 1964, the Trudeau Institute began researching the functions of the immune system and how it guards against many infectious diseases, including tuberculosis.

Among all the smart stuff.....  We had some awesome cousin time.  Wyn and Shane are only a few months apart and were both thrilled to have another 'young one' in town.  Shane was fascinated with Wynn's pacificer.  At one point he even grabbed it from her month to see what the fuss was about.  He is still quite happy without one.

Our first day was just beautiful.  We toured the ski slopes, sledding trails and ski jump - gosh you would've thought it was winter!!  It was surely the Ly's giving us the full court press for a return visit in the winter time.  Smart folks!!  Beautiful beginners hill behind. 

The boys loved a little bike time by the train station.

We call this a 'Yankee' BBQ

A little boat time - Shane spent his in a straight jacket.  He was so uncomfortable that he went to sleep.

So did Nick - but grandpa proved to be a favorite sleep spot.

Our lovely lady Winslow

The area reminded us very much of Maine, beautiful trees, chilly water, rustic conditions.

A little lake playing time - even for our Future world cup player.

Picnic at the lake - beautiful night

Onto Day #2 - a stroll around Lake placid and the Olympic facilities.  Any Leadbetters in the Winter Olympics?  Time will tell, but now we know where to train.

And where to eat - this place was amazing!

We even found the moose

Anyone remember the Movie?  Miracle right?  Well the game was played here!

Ah - beautiful

Thank you to Liz and Tam for a beautiful weekend.  They had wonderful dinners and amazing days planned for all excitement levels.  We were so fortunate to be able to spend the time with you and have a feeling for what your life is like.  Thank you for welcoming us in your home.